The Valley Catholic
commentary
May 26, 2015
17
The Treasure in a Field
By Gregory R. Kepferle, CEO, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
It was just a patch of dirt at the
edge of a middle school athletic field
in East San Jose. Who could imagine
that a treasure would be found in that
patch of dirt. The treasure wasn’t a
chest filled with gold and jewels, but
the transformation of that patch of dirt
into a beautiful community garden filled with families
and children eager to be outside, to touch the earth.
When I walked through that garden, I didn’t see trash
or weeds or any sign of neglect or poverty. Instead I saw
neat family garden plots with herbs and flowers and
vegetables surrounded by proud community members
from the Santee Neighborhood of San Jose.
This formerly high crime neighborhood is being
transformed into a peaceful community of engaged
families and eager students through a quiet, steady
cooperative effort by Catholic Charities and the Franklin-McKinley School District and other community
pa